Saturday, May 4, 2013

I’m sure by now you’ve realized that many of the Angels faithful have a problem with the playing of Build Me Up, Buttercup by The Foundations during the seventh inning. And by “problem” I mean the absolute hatred and revulsion that most hardcore Angels fans feel toward this song.

And it’s really a pity that this pretty decent song has been ruined in the minds of so many fans because it is wholly inappropriate for playing it during a baseball game. While The Foundations (a great band, by the way) surely meant for it to be a sort of fun, poppy tune about loving a girl who just can’t commit, it has become emblematic for fans of having their hopes built up and then dashed by their team.

Let’s examine some of the lyrics, shall we?

Why do you build me up, Buttercup, baby,

Just to let me down and mess me around?

And then worst of all, you never call, baby,

When you say you will, but I love you still.

I need you more than anyone, darlin’,

You know that I have from the start

So build me up, Buttercup, don’t break my heart.

Oh look, a mildly abusive relationship in which we the fans are the long-suffering swain and our team is the faithless girl. I think a good general rule would be to not play a song that includes the term “break my heart” at any sporting event.

Is Buttercup the reason the Angels are losing? Or the reason that we haven’t made it back to the World Series? Likely not. But we are baseball fans, Arte. We are by far the most superstitious group of people in the world. Why give the fans something bad to focus on? Why continue to play a song with a negative connotation? Why continue to destroy The Foundations otherwise wonderful legacy?

If we need a fun song to play during the seventh, may I humbly suggest Good Vibrations by the Beach Boys as a replacement?

Here are my top three reasons for thinking Good Vibrations is a great pick!

#1 It’s positive! Look at the lyrics. No more “let me down” and “break my heart,” instead we have:

I'm pickin' up good vibrations,

She's giving me the excitations.

I'm pickin' up good vibrations

(Oom bop bop good vibrations)

(Oom bop bop excitations)

She's giving me the excitations

Arte, not only are these happy, positive lyrics...there are oom bops! You cannot, I repeat, cannot go wrong with oom bops!

#2 It’s singable as all heck. Not only are the melody and lyrics singable, the Electro-Theremin solo is rocking. Can you imagine an entire stadium full people singing along to an Electro-Theremin solo, Arte? I can. It. Would. Be. Epic!

#3 The Beach Boys are a local band. Yes, they're from L.A. County (they are “The Hawthorne Five,” after all) not Orange County, but that’s pretty darn local (more so than the British-based Foundations certainly). So many of their songs reference the OC, not the least of which is “Surfin’ USA.” Also, Brian Wilson wrote “Surf City,” which is a song about Huntington Beach. I think anyone would agree that the Wilson/Beach Boys sound helps define southern California culture.

I think Angels fans would love to hear something positive during the seventh inning. If you’re going to play a song at the stadium you want it to be something that can unify fans (look at Boston’s “Sweet Caroline” as an example), not something that makes fans feel frustrated and let down. Let’s rally around the positive experience that is “Good Vibrations.”

Follow us

Welcome to Angelswin.com

AngelsWin.com is a fan site by the fans, for the fans (Established 2004). Tabbed as the "Internet Home for Angels fans" our fan site produces incredible content from several talented writers, including exclusive interviews with front office members, Angels players & minor leaguers down on the farm. AngelsWin is a thriving community that boasts thousands of members & followers on the world wide web. AngelsWin.com - unraveling Angels Baseball one thread at a time.

AngelsWin.com Website Store

AngelsWin.com is the unofficial website of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Our comments and views do not express the views of the major league club or anyone affiliate with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. AngelsWin.com blog content, articles and opinions are provided "as is" and without warranties of any kind. We disclaim warranties, express or implied, including warranties for a particular purpose, accuracy, completeness, availability, security, compatibility and non-infringement. Blog material, articles and other information furnished or supplied by you to AngelsWin.com become the ownership of AngelsWin.com for use at our discretion. Your use of AngelsWin content is at your own discretion and risk. We do not warrant that any content here be error free that access thereto will be uninterrupted or errors will be corrected. We do not warrant or make any representations regarding the use of any content made available through AngelsWin.com You hereby waive any claim against us with respect thereto. AngelsWin.com may contain the opinions and views of other members and users. We cannot endorse, guarantee, or be responsible for the accuracy, efficacy or veracity of any content generated by our members and other users. The content of AngelsWin.com is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. Such content is not intended to, and does not, constitute legal, professional, medical or healthcare advice or diagnosis, and may not be used for such purposes. Reliance on any information appearing on AngelsWin.com is strictly at your own risk. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. You should not act or refrain from acting on the basis of any content included in, or accessible through, the AngelsWin.com without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer or professional licensed in the recipient's state, country or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.